Display rack construction

ABSTRACT

The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is directed to a display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of different kinds of articles. The display rack construction includes a support base upon which are secured one or more standards. A plurality of horizontally disposed, vertically displaced shelf members are secured to the standards and each shelf member includes a plurality of apertures formed about at least a portion of the periphery thereof. Article support bracket means are fashioned in such a manner so as to have a downwardly depending portion inserted into the aperture with a bight portion integral with the depending portion and turned over the top and edge portions of the shelf means. An extended portion is formed integral with the bight portion and is used to support either articles directly on the bracket or to support an apertured panel, or the like.

Unite States Patent 1191 1111 3,855,943

Larson Dec. 24, 1974 1 DISPLAY RACK CONSTRUCTION 3,778,955 12/1973 Close 248/DIG. 3

[75] Inventor: Charles 0. Larson, Sterlmg, 111. Primary Examiner paul R. Gilliam Assigneel Chas- Sterling, ll Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Olson, Trexler, Woltcrs, [22] Filed, Aug 2 1973 Bushnell & Fosse, Ltd.

[2]] Appl. No.: 385,033 57 ABSTRACT The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is [52] US. Cl 108/28, 108/94, 211/78 directed to a display rack construction of the type to [51] Int. Cl. A47b 5/00, A47b 57/100 display a plurality of different kinds of articles. The [58] Field of Search 211/53, 57, 58, 131, 144, display rack construction includes a support base 211/70, 78; 108/28, 94, 95, 139, 142; upon which are secured one or more standards. A plu- 312/125, 135, 250, 252 rality of horizontally disposed, vertically displaced shelf members are secured to the standards and each [56] References Cited shelf member includes a plurality of apertures formed UNITED STATES PATENTS about at least a portion of the periphery thereof. Arti- 2,309,214 1/1943 Rey 312 250 UR- cle Support bracket means are fashioned i 8 2,428,073 9 1947 Handel 248/DIG. 3 manner as to have a downwardly dependmg POrtlon 2,920,767 H1960 Halip n 243/1316, inserted into the aperture with a bight portion integral 3,162,148 12/1964 Ganz 248 D1G. 3 with the depending portion and turned over the top 3,200,960 8/1965 Banse 248/DIG. 3 and edge portions of the shelf means. An extended 3,278,149 113/1966 Brucker 3 portion is formed integral with the bight portion and is 3,641,950 2/ 1972 Axhamre 248/DIG- 3 used to support either articles directly on the bracket 3,693,807 9/1972 Larson 211/78 or to Support an apertured panel or the like 3,695,455 10/1972 Larson 248/DIG. 3

3,696,937 10/1972 Brauerman 248/DIG. 3 6 Claims, 20 Drawing Figures PATENTEU DEC 2 41974 sumuuu;

PATENTED UEC24 I974 sum 5 OF 5 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to article support stands and more particularly to article support stands of the type which provide means for displaying a particular kind of article and product, such as hardware goods, in a manner so that a plurality of different types of such articles can be displayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Certain types of merchandise may be marketed to the best advantage by placing the goods in a position so as to be clearly visible to the potential purchaser. It is common practice, for example, to package articles for sale in transparent plastic containers or bags, or to package such articles by bubble sealing them to a cardboard support. Sales appeal may be clearly enhanced by not only displaying such packages attractively but also by mounting such packages on a device of a type which will enable convenientattachment or detachment with respect thereto when purchasers are making selections.

It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to provide a new and improved display rack construction in the form of a simple yet sturdy device for accommodating goods to be displayed in a convenient and attractive manner. More specifically, the present invention contemplates a display rack construction in which goods for sale may be conveniently displayed in horizontal and vertical spaced relation to one another and to this end it is proposed to provide a novel arrangement of horizontally and vertically spaced apart arms or hook members upon which such articles or perforated side panels can be secured.

A feature of the present invention is the utilization of article support bracket members which has a depending portion adapted to be inserted into an aperture formed along theperiphery of a shelf member. The article support bracket includes a bight portion extending integrally from the depending portion and turned over the top and edge portions of the shelf. An extended. portion is integrally formed with the bight portion and serves either as a support arm for articles'or as a hook to support perforated panels.

Many other objects, features, and advantages of this Y invention will be more fully realized and understood from the detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals throughout the various views of the drawings are intended to designate similar elements or components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS thereof to allow visual citing therethrough;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective illustrating the manner in which the perforated panel of FIG. 4 is secured to the horizontal shelf members of the display rack construction of this invention;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view further illustrating the manner of fastening the perforated panels to the display rack of this invention;

FIG. 7 is'an elevational view illustrating an alternate form of construction of a display rack constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the display rack of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the manner in which. articles are secured to article support bracket means extending from the shelf members, as contemplated in accordance with the principles of this invention; 3

FIG. 10 is a detail showing the manner in which the brackets are secured to the shelf of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 illustrates one manner of construction of an article support bracket of this invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates another form of construction of an article support bracket of this invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates still another article support bracket constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates still another article support bracket constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention; I

FIG. 15 illustrates the positioning of an angularly disposed article support shelf on the support stand in accordance with the principles of this invention; M

FIG. 16 illustrates the type of support bracket to engage the support shelf of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates still another alternate configuration of an article display rack constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along line 1919 of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 20 illustrates a modification of the structure 0 FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIG. 1 there is seen a display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of different kinds of articles, which is constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and designated generally by reference numeral 10. The display rack construction 10 includes a support base member 12 to be positioned over a floor area at which the support rack is to be located for displaying a plurality of different kinds of articles. Extending upwardly from the support base 12 are'standard means 14 arranged to be of a predetermined height above the support base. Here the illustrated embodiment illustrates three standards 14a, 14b, and 140, it being understood that a dif ferent number of standards may be used if desired.

A plurality of horizontally disposed, vertically spaced apart shelf means 16 are secured to the standards and provide means for receiving article support brackets connected thereto. A plurality of apertures are formed about the peripheral margin of the shelf means 16 and article support brackets, here designated generally by reference numeral 18, are arranged to have a portion thereof depending into the peripheral apertures of the shelf means and turned about the upper edge to come in close proximity to the side edge of the shelf. In this instance the article support bracket is a hook member to engage and support a perforated board or support plate 20 on the front thereof and a pair of similarly fashioned support plates 20 on the front thereof and a pair of similarly fashioned support plates 21 and 22 at the sides thereof. While a single funnel support plate 20 is illustrated it will be understood that the entire front of the display rack is covered with perforated plates of this type and thereby provide maximum area for hanging articles to be displayed.

Most advantageously, the support plates 20, 21, and 22 of this invention are provided with centrally located apertures 23, 24, and 25, respectively. These apertures are oriented in such a way as to allow a potential purchaser of articles supported on the display rack to view through the display rack to see the back sides of articles on the opposite side of the display rack.

In the illustrated embodiment of the display rack construction of FIG. 1 the top of the display rack includes an indicia bearing panel member 26 having the general configuration of a house top with several roof shingles 27 formed at the upper edges thereof. A display rack of this kind therefore, indicates to the potential customer that goods of household nature are displayed for purchase.

Referring now to FIG. 2 the details of the support plate 12 are more readily illustrated, and in this instance the support plate is of the rotating type which allows the user to stand inone place in front of the display rack and manually rotate the articles about the central axis of the display rack, here being the central standard 14b so that the articles about the periphery of a small contact area between its upper and lower spherical contact points and allow rotation of the display rack with a minimum of external effort. The bottom most plate 32 of the support base 12 is intended to remain stationary while potential purchasers are rotating the display rack but is allowed to be moved from one location to another location for best advantage of merchandising. To achieve simple transport of the display rack rollers 33 are provided for this purpose.

Also seen in FIG. 2 is the structural arrangement for supporting the plurality of shelf means 16. Here a washer 34 is placed immediately beneath an aperture formed in the shelf and about the outboard standards 14a and 140. A clip device 46, such as a cotter pin, is

provided to engage an aperture or recess formed in the standards and support the shelf.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is seen a side elevational sectional view taken along line 33 of FIG. 1 and further illustrates the manner in which the plurality of different articles are supported. Here it will be seen that a plurality of support panels 20 are secured to the front and back sides of the support rack structure and held in position upon the shelves 16 by the somewhat S-shaped article support brackets 18. A plurality of article support arms 40 are secured to the exterior surface portions of the support panels 20 at locations so that there is sufficient space between different levels of articles to allow the potential purchaser thereof to view through the openings 23, 24, and 25. Here a plurality of difierent kinds of articles are designated generally by reference numerals 41 and are secured to the articles support arms 40 by any one of the plurality of different well known arrangements. For example, the support arms 40 can be rods extending outwardly from the support'panel and apertures are formed in a cardboard top edge portion of the package containing the articles to be supported. Another type of arrangement is where the article support arm 40 is formed ofa thin, flat metal arm, or a pair of rods bent upon themselves, and wherein the cardboard top edge portion of the package has an elongated slot formed therein. These and other forms of arm and article engagement may be incorporated without departing from the novel aspects of this invention.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 4, a single one of the plurality of article support panels 20 is here illustrated for purpose of clarity. The openings 23 are con,- figurated so as to provide substantial strength for the articles supported thereon while still allowing potential purchasers to view through the panel to the other side of the display rack construction. A plurality of apertures 42 are formed within the planar surface portion of the support plate 20, these apertures being sized and positioned so as to allow engagement therein of hook devices in a well known manner.

- Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 the specific details of construction of supporting the shelves 16 as well as the side panels 20, 21, and 22 thereto are illustrated. Here the shelves 16 havea plurality of peripherally located apertures 46through which a depending portion 47 of the article support bracket 18 is positioned. A bight portion 48 passes over the top portion of the shelf and is formed integral with a second depending portion 49. The depending portion 49 is integrally formed with an upturned U-shaped portion 50 which, in turn, engages the underside of one of the openings 23, of for example, the panel 20. This configuration then allows the panels 20, 21, and 22 to be removed if desired. The advantage of this type of display rack construction is that the display rack can be dismantled and shipped from place to place easily and without the need of extensive assembly time. Furthermore, the assembly of the display rack construction can be accomplished with little or no use of special tools.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 there is seen an alternate embodiment of the display rack construction which utilizes the general aspects of this invention and is designated generally by reference numeral 60. Here the display rack construction 60 includes a single standard 61 secured toa support base 62. In this instance the support base 62 includes a first plate member 63 and a second plate member 64. The plate member 64' includes collapsible support legs 65 secured thereto by suitable hinges 66. These legs can be folded out of the way and a pair of rollers 67 utilized to facilitate the transport of the display rack construction from one location to another location.

A plurality of horizontally disposed vertically spaced apart shelf means 68 are located at various points along the standard 61. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the article support brackets 70 also form the article support arms integrally therewith. That is, the article support bracket 70 has the downwardly over the outer edge thereof and then outwardly provid-' ing an article support arm 71. In this instance the articles support arm 71 is seen as having an upturned end portion 72 associated therewith. This upturned end portion prevents articles from inadvertently falling off of the display rack.

In the alternative, some of the article support brackets may be configurated similar to that shown by reference numeral 74 which, in turn, includes an angularly disposed support shelf 75 associated therewith. This type of article support shelf can be used to support a plurality of articles 76 of the type which do not include an' upper cardboard tab having an aperture formed therein to be placed on the support arms. To evenly distribute the weight of the support shelf 75 a plurality of support brackets 74 are placed along the front peripheral edge of the horizontal shelf 78 associated therewith.

For a better understanding of the alternate embodiment of this invention reference is now made to FIG. 9 which illustrates a fragmentary perspective view of the top shelf of the display rack construction 60 of FIGS. 7 and 8. Here it can be seen that the plurality of article support brackets 70 are formed of a wire member having the article support arms 71 provided by a pair of parallel spaced apart portions of the wire member and wherein the end portion 72 is formed by a bight at the ends of the parallel rod members.

FIG. illustrates in more detail the manner in which the article support bracket engages with the shelf members. Here the depending portion 73 passes through an aperture 74 formed near the periphery of the shelf 68. A bight portion 76 passes over the top of the shelf and is formed integral with a second depending portion 77. The article support arm 41 therefore,extends directly from the article support bracket 70 without the need of the vertical panels 20, 21, and 22,'as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1. r

FIG. 10 illustrates the wire construction of the article support arms 71, here they being designated by a reference numeral 71a and 71b. FIG. 12 illustrates an alternate form of article support structure which can be used in accordance with the principles of this invention. Here the article support arm 81 is formed of a sheet metal stamping and has a stiffening deformation 82 formed along the longitudinal extent thereof. The upturned end portion 83 is provided to maintain articles on the arm. The top portion 84 of the article support bracket includes a plurality of apertures 86 through which may be inserted fasteners such as bolts or rivets to secure the arm to the shelf 68.

FIG. 13 illustrates a single wire article support bracket and support arm 87 and 88 which includes a turned outer most end 89. This type of article support can be used with any of the display rack constructions illustrated herein. FIG. 14 is somewhat similar to a combination of the structures shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. That is, the end portion 90 of the article support arm 91 has a pair of apertures 92 formed therein. The apertures 92 can be arranged to receive bolts or rivets to secure the article support arm to the shelf 68. Also in this instance the end 93 is turned to provide a stop member for articles being supported thereon.

FIGS. 15.and 16 illustrate the article support bracket 74 which is used to support the shelf 75, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. The wire bracket 74 includes a down wardly depending portion 74a which fits into any one of the plurality of peripherally located apertures on the shelves 68. The support arm 74 has a right angle bend 74b located nearthe bottom portion thereof and is directed upwardly to a turned end portion 74c. The L- shaped shelf member 75 may include stiffening brackets 95 located at the edge portions thereof as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 15.

Referring now to FIGS. 17, 18, 19, and there is seen still an alternate configuration of a display rack construction in accordance with the principles of this invention and designated generally by reference numeral 100. The display rack construction 100, FIG. 17, includes a support base member 101 upon which is secured a standard 102. A plurality of shelf members 103 extend horizontally and are vertically spaced apart substantially in the same manner as that with regard to the display rack construction of FIGS. 7 and 8. However,

in this instance a plurality of apertured vertical panels 104 are positioned on the shelf members 103 and secured thereto by article support bracket means 106, as best seen in FIG. 18. a

In accordance with the present invention the panels 104 are provided with openings 107 formed therein so that a potential purchaser of articles secured to the panel can view through the display rack to articles secured to panels at the opposite side. In this instance the base member 101 is provided with foldable support legs 110, as best seen in FIG. 19, which are secured to the underside of the base 101 by hinge means 111.

The standard 102 is formed of a central hollow tube 114 through which passes a solid shaft 115. However, it will be understood that the shaft 115 may also be of tubular construction if desired. The top portion of the hollow tube 114 is threaded to receive a cap member 117. A ball 118, preferably of steel or the like, is positioned between the solid shaft 115 and the cap 117. A plurality'of short lengths of cylindrical sleeve members 119 are placed between each of the shelf structures and provide for spacing of the shelves along the vertical extent of the standard. This structure allows the plurality of shelves 103 to be rotated, either individually when not together by the panels 104, or as a unit when tied together by such panels.

FIG. 20 illustrates still another alternate configuration of a display rack construction in accordance with the principles of this invention and is designated generally by reference numeral 130. Here the support base 131 has the standard 132 extending upwardly therefrom, in the same manner as set forth hereinabove with regard to the other alternate embodiments. However, in this instance the shelf members are triangular in configuration, as indicated by reference numeral 133..This type of structure will also accommodate the U-shaped article support brackets 106 and a plurality of apertured panels 104 in like manner, as that with regard to the structure of FIGS. 17 and 19.

While several specific embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated herein, it will be understood that still further variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts disclosed and claimed herein.

The invention 'is claimed as follows;

1. A display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of different kinds of articles, said display rack construction comprising in combinationi a support base to be positioned over a floor area at which the display rack is to be located for displayinga' plurality of different kinds of articles, standard means extending upwardly from said support base a predetermined height, shelf means extending transversely of and connected to said standard means, said shelf means includv ing a plurality of apertures formed near the peripheral portions thereof, said apertures having the axes thereof extending vertically and being sized to receive article 2. The display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of different types of articles as set forth in claim 1, further including a perforated vertical panel secured about the periphery of said shelf means, said extended portion having means engaging said perforated panel and said extended portion of said article support bracket means being turned upwardly to form a support hook for said perforated vertical panel.

3. The display rack construction of the type for dis playing a plurality of different kinds of articles as set forth in claim 2, wherein said perforated vertical panels have a substantial open area formed substantially centrally therein to allow persons selecting articles from the display rack to view through the display rack to articles located at the other side.

4. The display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of different kinds of articles as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support base is adapted to enable said standards and said shelf means secured thereto to rotate about a vertical axis.

5. The display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of different kinds of articles as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shelf means is formed of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally oriented shelves substantially of the same length and width and positioned upon said standard means to have the periphery thereof substantially in alignment one with the other. 6. The display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of diffemt kinds of articles as set forth in claim 1, wherein said article support bracket means is formed of a wire structure having a pair of spaced apart arm members tied together by a bight portion formed at the end most portion of said extended portion and including a pair of parallel spaced apart depending portions and bight portions to engage said apertures of said shelf means and to extend over the upper surface and edge thereof. 

1. A display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of different kinds of articles, said display rack construction comprising in combination: a support base to be positioned over a floor area at which the display rack is to be located for displaying a plurality of different kinds of articles, standard means extending upwardly from said support base a predetermined height, shelf means extending transversely of and connected to said standard means, said shelf means including a plurality of apertures formed near the peripheral portions thereof, said apertures having the axes thereof extending vertically and being sized to receive article support bracket means, and article support bracket means having a depending portion insertable into said apertures formed in the periphery of said shelf means, said article support bracket means further including an extended portion extending outwardly of said shelf means, said extended portion and said depending portion being integrally connected by a bight portion which is carried at the top marginal edge surface of said shelf means, said extended portion extending from near the bottom edge of said shelf means.
 2. The display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of different types of articles as set forth in claim 1, further including a perforated vertical panel secured about the periphery of said shelf means, said extended portion having means engaging said perforated panel and said extended portion of said article support bracket means being turned upwardly to form a support hook for said perforated vertical panel.
 3. The display rack construction of the type for displaying a plurality of different kinds of articles as set forth in claim 2, wherein said perforated vertical panels have a substantial open area formed substantially centrally therein to allow persons selecting articles from the display rack to view through the display rack to articles located at the other side.
 4. The display rack constructiOn of the type to display a plurality of different kinds of articles as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support base is adapted to enable said standards and said shelf means secured thereto to rotate about a vertical axis.
 5. The display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of different kinds of articles as set forth in claim 1, wherein said shelf means is formed of a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally oriented shelves substantially of the same length and width and positioned upon said standard means to have the periphery thereof substantially in alignment one with the other.
 6. The display rack construction of the type to display a plurality of differnt kinds of articles as set forth in claim 1, wherein said article support bracket means is formed of a wire structure having a pair of spaced apart arm members tied together by a bight portion formed at the end most portion of said extended portion and including a pair of parallel spaced apart depending portions and bight portions to engage said apertures of said shelf means and to extend over the upper surface and edge thereof. 